Friends of Lisa Smith
Donation protected
“ I have cancer, but cancer does not have me”
My name is Cindy Shaffer and I am a friend of Lisa Smith. We all know what it is to deal with struggles in life, and sometimes it is hard to ask for help, so I am asking on her behalf.
This is her story.
Lisa returned home to Pittsburgh, in April 2015, after being away for 5 years, to start over again, after a profound, personal & life altering event. She believed that God brought her back to Pittsburgh for a reason, but she never dreamed it would be to fight cancer.
She started a new job in June 2015, and was excited to be back home, reconnecting with family & friends old and new.
After bleeding for over a month, in September she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed at the end of October with uterine cancer. She met an oncologist in November, and it was decided the best course of action was to have a complete hysterectomy because the doctor felt the cancer was confined to the uterus. After numerous tests, surgery was scheduled for January 6th, followed by 4 days of recovery in Magee Hospital. During the hospital stay, the doctor and his team felt the surgery went great and they believed they got it all. They believed no chemo or radiation would be needed.
Her follow up doctor appointment on January 15th was not what she was expected. She was advised that the cancer had spread to her fallopian tubes and ovaries. He advised her she would need to start chemo ASAP. She was told if she did not do the treatments, the cancer could come back with a vengeance and attach to other organs. All of her doctors decided the best course of action would be 6 rounds of intensive chemo, every 3 weeks. After chemo, further testing will determine if she will have internal or external radiation, but she will need radiation. Her first Chemo took place on January 28th.
Lisa had almost every known side affect after the first treatment, including hair loss, fatigue, severe body aches and pain, neuropathy, blurred vision, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, vomiting and weight loss.
The doctor adjusted one of the chemo drugs and added some prescription drugs. The second treatment was on February 18th. The side affects were not as severe, but still took a toll on her body.
Third treatment is scheduled for March 10th. They will be sending her for another PET scan after this treatment to see if the chemo is working and/or if the cancer has spread further.
Lisa will get her 6th chemo treatment 4 days before her 50th birthday.
Already the bills are coming in. For every test that is done, Lisa pays on average 10%, or whatever the insurance does not cover. One example of a 10% fee would be $442 for an ultra sound. One round of Chemo is $38,000 dollars. Based on the anticipated 10% rule for 6 treatments, Lisa’s cost will be $22,800. Lisa will be filing for financial assistance through UPMC and hopefully will be approved. The assistance will only cover medical bills but at least she can be put on a reasonable payment plan.
In addition to medical bills, Lisa is on short term disability, whereby she gets only 60% of her normal pay. She is not getting a pay check from the company she works for, but they have agreed to keep her on their insurance, so she still has to pay $150 a month, which was her normal monthly payment when she was working. When she goes back to work, she will be expected to reimburse the company for the money they spent to keep her on their insurance.
Other expenses that I never even thought of, can really add up. Parking at Magee is $4 - $5’s. For every test, every doctor’s appointment, every treatment, it all adds up. When she starts radiation, she will get 25 treatments, every week day for 5 weeks.
Other expenses are daily medications, including 8 prescriptions and 3 over the counter. These additional expenses are on top of her normal expenses of car payment, food, etc., while only getting 60% of her pay.
Back home, Lisa is surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. She acknowledges she is truly and deeply blessed. She could never ask for financial assistance, so I’m seeking your financial support for her. Please consider making a donation, any amount helps and will be greatly appreciated. Lisa has said to me many times, “all I want is Peace.” Let’s help Lisa have some peace, and help celebrate her 50th this year.
Thank you for taking the time to read her story, and thank you in advance for considering making a donation. May God bless you with good health and peace. Amen.
“ You may see me struggle, but you’ll never see me quit”
My name is Cindy Shaffer and I am a friend of Lisa Smith. We all know what it is to deal with struggles in life, and sometimes it is hard to ask for help, so I am asking on her behalf.
This is her story.
Lisa returned home to Pittsburgh, in April 2015, after being away for 5 years, to start over again, after a profound, personal & life altering event. She believed that God brought her back to Pittsburgh for a reason, but she never dreamed it would be to fight cancer.
She started a new job in June 2015, and was excited to be back home, reconnecting with family & friends old and new.
After bleeding for over a month, in September she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed at the end of October with uterine cancer. She met an oncologist in November, and it was decided the best course of action was to have a complete hysterectomy because the doctor felt the cancer was confined to the uterus. After numerous tests, surgery was scheduled for January 6th, followed by 4 days of recovery in Magee Hospital. During the hospital stay, the doctor and his team felt the surgery went great and they believed they got it all. They believed no chemo or radiation would be needed.
Her follow up doctor appointment on January 15th was not what she was expected. She was advised that the cancer had spread to her fallopian tubes and ovaries. He advised her she would need to start chemo ASAP. She was told if she did not do the treatments, the cancer could come back with a vengeance and attach to other organs. All of her doctors decided the best course of action would be 6 rounds of intensive chemo, every 3 weeks. After chemo, further testing will determine if she will have internal or external radiation, but she will need radiation. Her first Chemo took place on January 28th.
Lisa had almost every known side affect after the first treatment, including hair loss, fatigue, severe body aches and pain, neuropathy, blurred vision, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, vomiting and weight loss.
The doctor adjusted one of the chemo drugs and added some prescription drugs. The second treatment was on February 18th. The side affects were not as severe, but still took a toll on her body.
Third treatment is scheduled for March 10th. They will be sending her for another PET scan after this treatment to see if the chemo is working and/or if the cancer has spread further.
Lisa will get her 6th chemo treatment 4 days before her 50th birthday.
Already the bills are coming in. For every test that is done, Lisa pays on average 10%, or whatever the insurance does not cover. One example of a 10% fee would be $442 for an ultra sound. One round of Chemo is $38,000 dollars. Based on the anticipated 10% rule for 6 treatments, Lisa’s cost will be $22,800. Lisa will be filing for financial assistance through UPMC and hopefully will be approved. The assistance will only cover medical bills but at least she can be put on a reasonable payment plan.
In addition to medical bills, Lisa is on short term disability, whereby she gets only 60% of her normal pay. She is not getting a pay check from the company she works for, but they have agreed to keep her on their insurance, so she still has to pay $150 a month, which was her normal monthly payment when she was working. When she goes back to work, she will be expected to reimburse the company for the money they spent to keep her on their insurance.
Other expenses that I never even thought of, can really add up. Parking at Magee is $4 - $5’s. For every test, every doctor’s appointment, every treatment, it all adds up. When she starts radiation, she will get 25 treatments, every week day for 5 weeks.
Other expenses are daily medications, including 8 prescriptions and 3 over the counter. These additional expenses are on top of her normal expenses of car payment, food, etc., while only getting 60% of her pay.
Back home, Lisa is surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. She acknowledges she is truly and deeply blessed. She could never ask for financial assistance, so I’m seeking your financial support for her. Please consider making a donation, any amount helps and will be greatly appreciated. Lisa has said to me many times, “all I want is Peace.” Let’s help Lisa have some peace, and help celebrate her 50th this year.
Thank you for taking the time to read her story, and thank you in advance for considering making a donation. May God bless you with good health and peace. Amen.
“ You may see me struggle, but you’ll never see me quit”
Organizer and beneficiary
Cindy Shaffer
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Lisa Smith
Beneficiary